Donald Trump pledges to unite America as he prepares to become president

DONALD TRUMP pledged to unify America as he addressed thousands of supporters at a concert on the eve of his inauguration.

At his pre-inauguration concert, Donald Trump pledged to unite America after a divisive election

The two-hour event - dubbed the Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration - took place at Washington's Lincoln Memorial, where country stars Lee Greenwood and Toby Keith and rock band 3 Doors Down were among the headline acts.

President-elect Mr Trump had reportedly struggled to attract famous names to take part in the concert, while Broadway star Jennifer Holliday pulled out of the gig citing concerns raised by fans from the LGBT community.

Addressing the crowd, President-elect Trump said: "We're going to unify our country. We're going to make American great for all our people.

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We're going to unify our country. We're going to make American great for all our people.

Donald Trump

"On the campaign I called it 'the forgotten man and the forgotten woman'. You're not forgotten any more.

"We're going to do things that haven't been done for our country for many, many decades. It's going to change."

After forecasters predicted rain in Washington DC this afternoon, President-elect Trump added: "I don't care frankly if it's going to be beautiful or if it's going to rain like crazy. It makes no difference to me.

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Trump held the concert by the Lincoln memorial in Washington

"I have a feeling it's going to be beautiful."

Actor Jon Voight told the crowd that "God answered all our prayers" when Mr Trump won the US election.

He said: "We have all been witness to a barrage of propaganda that left us all breathless with anticipation, not knowing if God could reverse all the negative lies against Mr Trump whose only desire was to make America great again.

"President Lincoln, who sits here with us, I'm sure is smiling knowing America will be saved by an honest and good man who will work for all the people, no matter their creed or colour."

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While Trump spoke in Washington, celebrities held protest rallies in New York outside his hotels